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More Coverage of the Flames Prospect Camp.
Some of my thoughts on the prospects that I noticed this morning.
40 Giffen Nyren
Giffen is a terrific skater. In fact, he may very be the fastest skater on the team. He was having trouble controlling the puck when did the puck handling drills without looking at the puck. Despite the bad [...]RANDY WORKMAN | July 29, 2010 at 12:45 am | Comments 2 -
Mike Gillis Flies Cross Country to Retain High Flying Winger Raymond
On the ice, Mason Raymond uses speed and skill to navigate around opponents; Mike Gillis takes a different approach.
In a final effort to sign the speedster Raymond, Mike Gillis flew from Vancouver to Toronto in order to come to a contract agreement with the 24 year old Cochrane, Alberta native.
After weeks without talk between the [...]Kevin Vanstone | July 28, 2010 at 8:57 pm | Comments 1 -
Tarasenko Coming Now or Later?
When the Blues sent David Rundblad to Ottawa in order to draft Vladimir Tarasenko they knew they were taking a young man with nearly limitless scoring potential. They just didn’t know how soon he would cross the pond. Conflicting reports are circulating. Renewing undo confusion on where Tarasenko will play hockey in [...]
Jeff Quirin | July 28, 2010 at 7:06 pm | Comments 1 -
Jackets Sign Stralman to 1-year Deal
Per Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, The Blue Jackets have signed Anton Stralman to a 1-year deal for $1.95 million, avoiding an arbitration hearing.
Stralman put up 34 points for the Jackets last season, anchoring their powerplay – and while he isn’t an elite NHL defenseman, the Jackets are certainly better off with him than [...]Jeff Benson | July 28, 2010 at 10:22 am | Comments 0 -
Flames Day Camp 2
Notes from Day 2
Mikael Backlund
Backlund continues to be the best prospect on the team. He proved it again today. He was awesome today. His skating skills were particularly strong, he was smooth and fast. He has a great shot and terrific speed and vision.
John Negrin
Negrin continued to shine today. His skating skills are [...]RANDY WORKMAN | July 28, 2010 at 1:19 am | Comments 0 -
Los Angeles Kings finally move, sign Alexei Ponikarovsky
After losing on Ilya Kovalchuk even if his deal with the New Jersey Devils has not been officially approved by the league yet, GM Dean Lombardi took a decision to go in a different direction inking hulking winger Alexei Ponikarovsky to a one-year $3 million contract. The former Penguins and Maple Leafs will also receive [...]
Fred Poulin | July 27, 2010 at 5:18 pm | Comments 5 -
Rangers Add Frolov
Yesterday’s worst-kept free-agency secret was made official today as the New York Rangers came to terms with Alexander Frolov for a reported 1-year, $3 million deal.
As a Rangers fan living with Glen Sather’s mostly questionable free agent signings over the last 10 years, I’m not overly thrilled about it. I’ve been burned way too many [...]Cris Cohen | July 27, 2010 at 2:49 pm | Comments 2 -
Looking ahead … and back at the Winter Classic
The Pittsburgh Penguins held a joint press conference today at Heinz Field with the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Steelers to promote the 2011 Winter Classic. The event, a regular season NHL game, will be held on New Year’s Day between the Pens and Caps in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field, home of the Steelers. On hand for the announcement from [...]
PenguinsMarch | July 27, 2010 at 2:45 pm | Comments 1 -
Niemi Watch
Will Antti Niemi be back in Chicago for the 2010-2011 season?
If you were thinking about buying a Niemi jersey to wear while watching him battle for the Blackhawks at the United Center….I would hold off on making the purchase.
As has been stated here on a few occasions Niemi is playing with a shorter stake than [...]Al Cimaglia | July 27, 2010 at 11:45 am | Comments 38 -
Pittsburgh mourns passing of John Barbero, voice of Mellon Arena
The city of Pittsburgh and the Penguins’ extended family lost one of its most beloved members last evening. John Barbero, 65, who worked as the PA announcer at Mellon Arena for 36 seasons, passed away after battling brain cancer for over a year. The Penguins and local newspapers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, were among many local [...]
PenguinsMarch | July 27, 2010 at 1:26 am | Comments 2 -
Penalties drop sharply in the third period in 2009-10
It looks as though many of the refs really do put away the whistles in the third for some of the penalties that slow the speed of the game.
igloodreams | July 26, 2010 at 9:52 pm | Comments 15 -
Prospects Day one Flames Camp
It’s interesting how we are judging the prospects after watching them only for an hour at day one in the camp. But as bloggers, that is what we do. I hesitate to judge the prospects too harshly as they go through the motions for the coaches. I sat there watching some of the players [...]
RANDY WORKMAN | July 26, 2010 at 11:46 pm | Comments 2 -
PuckCast: HockeeNight! Meets Hockey Independent for some hot stove talk on hot topics
Thanks to our good friends Fork and CT at HockeeNight! in Chicago (hockeenight.com), we’re pleased to bring you this two hour podcast recorded Tuesday, July 22.
Featuring NHL on XM Radio’s Hawks correspondent and HockeyIndependent.com columnist Al Cimaglia; Dave Morris, also a feature columnist at Hockey Independent; and hosts ForkLift and CT, it’s a lively, and [...]David Morris | July 26, 2010 at 10:12 pm | Comments 1 -
DAILY RUMORS: Dismissing Blackhawks Possibly Signing & Trading Niemi Upon A Large Arbitration Reward
We at HockeyIndependent.com want to be your resource and filter for what is going on in the NHL. We try to disseminate the noise in the blogosphere. We don’t look to to attack those sources, but to question the veracity of the rumor with cold logic, hockey smarts and knowledge. To do that… we have [...]
BDGallof | July 26, 2010 at 3:33 pm | Comments 1 -
Rangers’ 2010 Traverse City Tournament Roster Set
Today the New York Rangers released their 22-man roster for the 2010 Traverse City Prospects Tournament. Five of the 22 members were selections in this year’s NHL entry draft.
The Rangers will be sending:
LW Ryan Bourque, RW Evgeny Grachev, C Roman Horak, LW Colin Martin, RW Chris McKelvie, RW Randy McNaught, C Brendan Shinnimin, C Derek [...]Cris Cohen | July 26, 2010 at 1:32 pm | Comments 1 -
The Sunday Blues: Q&A Recap & Twitter Growth
The heatwave over St. Louis has temporary broken and given everyone a great Sunday to enjoy. I spent mine at the St. Louis Zoo with my wife and daughter. Those around St. Louis already know about the world famous zoo. For those that don’t, it’s a great place to take you [...]
Jeff Quirin | July 25, 2010 at 4:01 pm | Comments 1 -
JUST A BIT OUTSIDE: Isles Clearing Out Honesty
Per IslandersPointblank, Bill Jaffe was victim of being just too honest.
Despite the outrage and that is one of the dumbest moves since…well, the last one….this is actually the norm for sports teams. They love to control the message. Especially teams who don’t have a lot going for it. An inferiority complex envelopes the team from [...]BDGallof | July 24, 2010 at 6:43 pm | Comments 14 -
DAILY RUMORS: Gaborik To LA? Kovalchuk to NY? No Way
We at HockeyIndependent.com want to be your resource and filter for what is going on in the NHL. We try to disseminate the noise in the blogosphere. We don’t look to to attack those sources, but to question the veracity of the rumor with cold logic, hockey smarts and knowledge. To do that… we have [...]
BDGallof | July 24, 2010 at 5:54 pm | Comments 2 -
(Title Pending) with Andy Strickland
“It’s time for all these guys to start focusing. They’re not kids anymore…these guys are all going to have the opportunity to be impact players. We’ll see what they do with it.”-KFNS & HockeyBuzz Blues writer Andy Strickland
Brian Haenchen | July 23, 2010 at 6:52 pm | Comments 2 -
The Bruins Year That Was: Zdeno Chara
Has there ever been a more frustrating follow-up season for a Norris Trophy winner than Zdeno Chara’s 2009-10 season?
Rolling through 2008-09 on an unforgiving trail where he posted a career-high 19 goals and a +23 along with 28 points on the power-play, Chara led the Bruins to the Eastern Conference’s best record by example with [...]Ty Anderson | July 23, 2010 at 4:30 pm | Comments 1 -
Niemi At Risk…Will Hawks Move in a Different Direction?
Antti Niemi’s arbitration hearing is set for July 29, and the Blackhawks third annual Fan Convention begins the following day. It would be best for Hawks management to have Niemi’s contract put to bed by next Tuesday. In that way all media focus can be placed on the Fan Convention which will be a huge celebration [...]
Al Cimaglia | July 23, 2010 at 3:52 pm | Comments 22 -
Could Bobby Ryan receive an offer sheet? And other Ducks news
Many people wonder if Anaheim Ducks forward Bobby Ryan, who is a restricted free agent, could be a prime target for an offer sheet from an opposing team. A young talented winger of his age (23) and star caliber (71 goals, 60 assists for 131 points in 168 NHL games played) could be very enticing for [...]
Fred Poulin | July 23, 2010 at 1:06 pm | Comments 4 -
Meet the Future of the Blues: David Perron
“I’m really looking forward to taking the next step. Us young guys are getting older and getting some season under our wings. We’re really going to have to get going and take that next step. I’m one of the guys that is going to try and lead the players that way.”-Blues forward David Perron in [...]
Brian Haenchen | July 23, 2010 at 11:09 am | Comments 3 -
DAILY RUMORS: Why Antti Niemi Cannot Receive An Offer Sheet
We at HockeyIndependent.com want to be your resource and filter for what is going on in the NHL. We try to disseminate the noise in the blogosphere. We don’t look to to attack those sources, but to question the veracity of the rumor with cold logic, hockey smarts and knowledge. To [...]
BDGallof | July 22, 2010 at 10:27 pm | Comments 1 -
Blog Watch: Quick Hits As We Head Toward the Weekend
Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to another edition of Blog Watch: Quick Hits.
Obviously, this week has been all about the New Jersey Devils signing Illya Kovalchuk to a 17-year deal, only to have that deal rejected by the NHL. Let’s see what the hockey blogs are saying about that and other topics in [...]patrickhoffman | July 22, 2010 at 8:19 pm | Comments 0 -
Hawks Trade Reasoner…Apparently a Salary Dump
The Blackhawks traded center Marty Reasoner to Florida for center Jeff Taffe.
If Taffe replaces Reasoner on the roster the net cap saving would be $600,000.
Could the re-signing of Antti Niemi be coming soon?Al Cimaglia | July 22, 2010 at 3:25 pm | Comments 24 -
STL Blues Links of the Day
Blues look for improvement within
Jeremy Rutherford writes that due to problems with team ownership, the Saint Louis Blues will be forced to rely on the players currently within the organization to provide the offense next season.
When TowerBrook Capital Partners decided to divest their share of the team, it left the Blues with some serious budget [...]Brian Haenchen | July 22, 2010 at 11:32 am | Comments 1 -
An Exciting Jackets Offseason
The Savard, Spezza, and Kaberle rumors were fun and all, but sadly, it is time for us Blue Jackets fans to get back to reality. The reality that the biggest events this summer will be Anton Stralman’s arbitration case, and the only free agent signing will most likely be a fourth line center.
I still think [...]Jeff Benson | July 22, 2010 at 11:08 am | Comments 2 -
Thank My Lucky Socks
On July 1st I prepared for the big day by putting on my lucky Colorado Avalanche socks. As the day progressed and the Avalanche made nary a ripple in the free agent pool, I reminded myself that this was a pretty good team last year. And the deafening quiet from the Avalanche front office is legendary…in [...]
J Scott Moore | July 21, 2010 at 11:57 pm | Comments 0 -
Predators Future Looks Bright, Owners Buy Del Biaggio’s Shares
David Shoalts, a reporter for the Toronto Globe and Mail and a source of unending venom toward the Nashville Predators, wrote an article on July 16th that was headlined “Future of Preds, Stars Still Up in the Air”.
Today, the future of the Predators was brought into focus.
And the future looks bright.
Today, Nashville Predators Chairman Tom [...]theviewfrom111 | July 21, 2010 at 11:28 pm | Comments 7 -
Ottawa Senators re-sign forward Nick Foligno; Jason Spezza speaks to the media
The Senators announced earlier today they had re-signed left winger Nick Foligno to a two-year deal worth $2.4 million Wednesday. Foligno, 22, is coming off his third season with the Senators. In 61 games, the former 2006 first-round pick had nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points while struggling to find his niche on [...]
Fred Poulin | July 21, 2010 at 6:49 pm | Comments 2 -
Can Edmonton say no?
As I write this, the owner of the Edmonton Oilers, Daryl Katz, along with Oilers President Patrick Laforge and representatives from the Katz Group and AEG are making a presentation to the Edmonton City Council regarding the plan for a new downtown arena.
Mr. Katz rarely makes public appearences, but it was absolutely necessary that he [...]LD10 | July 21, 2010 at 5:19 pm | Comments 2 -
The Bruins Year That Was: Johnny Boychuk
Reviewing defensmen Johnny Boychuk’s first real season with Boston and looking at his expectations in 2010-11.
Ty Anderson | July 21, 2010 at 4:10 pm | Comments 3 -
DAILY RUMORS: Nixing the Lecavalier and Spezza Talk
We at HockeyIndependent.com want to be your resource and filter for what is going on in the NHL. We try to disseminate the noise in the blogosphere. We don’t look to to attack those sources, but to question the veracity of the rumor with cold logic, hockey smarts and knowledge. To do that… we have [...]
BDGallof | July 21, 2010 at 2:44 pm | Comments 3 -
Blues Sign David Perron
Today the St. Louis Blues announced that David Perron has signed on for two more years in St. Louis.
The slick and shifty 3rd year forward will be paid $4.3 million over the next two seasons. Per Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, David will be paid $1.8 million in 2010-2011 and $2.5 million [...]Jeff Quirin | July 21, 2010 at 2:05 pm | Comments 1 -
Risky business: NHL jams Circumventions clause into CBA cap loophole
TSN first reported last evening that the NHL rejected the 17-year, $102-million contract between New Jersey and 27-year old star winger Ilya Kovalchuk only a day after it was finalized. Announced on Monday, the length of the deal was stunning enough as its 17-year term surpassed the laughable 15-year deal given by the New York Islanders to [...]
PenguinsMarch | July 21, 2010 at 3:20 am | Comments 6 -
COMMENTARY: Word-For-Word, Lighthouse Project Starting To Fall Flat
If there is one thing to be seen in this new scuffle over the Lighthouse Project, is that the newest wrinkle to it all has very much splintered the fanbase. We can certainly glean the Lighthouse Project’s own take in one read. Meanwhile wordage of the ToH press release is loose enough to drive truck-wide [...]
BDGallof | July 20, 2010 at 11:42 am | Comments 24 -
DAILY RUMORS: Players Most Likely To Be Dealt & Not Dealt
We at HockeyIndependent.com want to be your resource and filter for what is going on in the NHL. We try to disseminate the noise in the blogosphere. We don’t look to to attack those sources, but to question the veracity of the rumor with cold logic, hockey smarts and knowledge. To do that… we have [...]
BDGallof | July 20, 2010 at 10:18 am | Comments 2 -
Quite the Coup After All: Trade Price for Gagne Well Worth the Risk
So, yeah, I’ve spent much of the last week preaching every reason I could think of as to why Steve Yzerman and the Tampa Bay Lightning should not acquire Simon Gagne from the Philadelphia Flyers and I did so in several forums. Here, where comments and responses elsewhere were split – about 50/50, in terms [...]
Jon Jordan | July 19, 2010 at 9:18 pm | Comments 9
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DAILY RUMORS: Doubtful on NY Rangers acquiring Brad Richards from Dallas
By BDGallof
July 27, 2010 at 10:15 pm | Comments 2
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- Thrashers re-sign Ben Eager
- Blackhawks re-sign Bickell, Skille
- Capitals, Blues swap left wings
- Ducks sign top pick Cam Fowler
- Keeper leagues, rookies and goalies in the mailbag
- Niemi and Hawks appear headed for arbitration
- Blue Jackets, Stralman agree on one-year contract
- Haydar glad to be back with Wolves
- North Stars aiming for fifth Aussie Goodall Cup
- Devils sign Fraser to one-year deal
